SOMETHING SERIOUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1943, Page 4

SOMETHING SERIOUS

HAPPENING IN CAPITAL OF BULGARIA COMMUNICATIONS CUT OFF. INDICATIONS 01’ EXTENDING REVOLT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) , LONDON, May 5> “Something serious is happening in Sofia, which is sealed off from the outside world,” says the British United Press Istanbul correspondent. “All external communications were broken last night, but before this happened some details of a virtual state of siege leaked out. A curfew has been imposed, all traffic has been stopped and only bakeries and dairies are allowed to open. Only children and servants are allowed on the streets at stipulated times, and they must be accompanied by soldiers. The excuse of the authorities is the need to arrest the assassins of the former police chief, Panteff, but this was merely the latest in a series of attacks against pro-German elements throughout Bulgaria. The secret “Liberty Front” organisation has issued a manifesto stating that: “Members of the Liberty Front shot Panteff as a punishment for his treason against democracy. Other traitors will end in the same way.” The manifesto called for the expulsion of the Germans from Bulgaria. About 700 persons are reported to have been arrested in Sofia, after a May Day demonstration. Similar disturbances took place throughout the country, despite police opposition. The Berlin radio announced that measures were being taken in Sofia to wipe out the gang of foreign agents which has recently been attacking Bulgarian patriots. CURFEW LIFTED ACCORDING TO BERLIN RADIO. (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, May 5. The Berlin radio announced that the curfew in Sofia was lifted today, having been operative for two days. The radio added that more than 1000 arrests had been made in Sofia during a twoday police search.